lifetime

Everyday

1. The whole time that a person or animal is alive. tree →
2. The time that a thing lasts or works: «the lifetime of a battery». tree →
3. (informal) A very long time: «I waited a lifetime!» tree →

In the lessons

In science: the lifetime of a mayfly is very short, a tortoise's very long. In stories: «a once-in-a-lifetime chance» means a rare chance. In everyday life: «a lifetime guarantee». Phrases: «in my lifetime», «once in a lifetime», «the trip of a lifetime», «a lifetime of».

Examples

• A tortoise's lifetime can be over a hundred years. tree →
• Seeing a whale was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. tree →
• The battery has a lifetime of about two years. tree →
• We waited a lifetime for the bus! tree →
• Many changes happened in Grandma's lifetime. tree →
• It was the trip of a lifetime. tree →
• Let us look at him as he was in his lifetime. tree →

Note

Countable. One word. «Once in a lifetime» (hyphenated before a noun: a once-in-a-lifetime trip). Compare «lifespan» (how long something usually lives).

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Tradition reads the rule against marrying two sisters "in her lifetime" as meaning the ban lasts only while the first wife lives. In the primary lessons: In science: the lifetime of a mayfly is very short, a tortoise's very long. In stories: «a once-in-a-lifetime chance» means a rare chance. In everyday life: «a lifetime guarantee». Phrases: «in my lifetime», «once in a lifetime», «the trip of a lifetime», «a lifetime of».

Examples

• And thou shalt not take a woman to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime. (Torah LEV.18.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. One word. «Once in a lifetime» (hyphenated before a noun: a once-in-a-lifetime trip). Compare «lifespan» (how long something usually lives).